Top package for a new starter?

[Balliol]

Could anyone say which is the best of the following packages for someone who is just starting to lean how to transfer VHS footage to DVDs and edit the results,
Ulead, Video Studio 10, Adobe Premiere Elements, or Vegas Movie Studio?

[harley2ride]

They are all good, and all vary to some degree. I suggest you download trials of each, and see which one you are most comfortable with. Comfort level has a lot to do with how well it works for you. I've used all three (different versions), and they all have pros and cons. I currently prefer Vegas 5 (which basically just has more user controls and settings, than vegas movie studio).

[Capmaster]

Those are all reasonable apps. The only suggestion I would make, based on my experience and several others, is to avoid Sonic programs. They're frequently bundled with capture cards. They're junk, IMO.

Ulead has some good applications and they'll get you started without having to take out a loan, like Adobe Premier Full Suite and a few others.

[TheFamilyMan]

A good "all around" package in my experience is Ulead MovieFactory, providing your edits are simple cuts and pastes of your footage with possible additional audio. It includes everything you need from capturing VHS (providing you use a capture card) to writing a DVD. The overall quality of the video it produces is very good. I think Ulead has a trial version available. Also note that the road you are about to embark upon is not for the hasty or faint of heart